Long Island, Andaman Islands - Timings, Water Sports, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 82 km from Port Blair and 35 km from Havelock Island by ferry, Long Island is a small island located just of the southeast coast of Middle Andaman in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Long Island, having an area of about 18 sq. km, is a modern village with population of around 2000 having many plus points and facilities generally not available in other villages of Bay Islands. It has its own power-house, a well-equipped Boat Building Yard, Senior Secondary School, bank, wireless facilities, hospital, Range Forest Office and even police outpost. Long Island is a dreamland settlement without any road network.

Lalaji Bay and Merk Bay are two pristine beaches famed as a popular picnic spot in this Island. The Island is an ideal location for beach camping in makeshift tents due to its unpolluted environment and calm atmosphere. Fleets of dolphins can be viewed very often from the beaches of this Island. Both of these are most easily approached by chartering a fisherman's dongie from the jetty, although Lalaji can be reached on foot by following the red arrows across the island.

This place is best suited for village tourism. Visitors can experience village life in tranquility. The pristine beauty of Long Island and adjacent islands in the form of lush green tropical forests, untouched virgin beaches coupled with unique marine ecosystem attracts tourists from different parts of India and abroad. This place has huge potential for lodging, camping, swimming, snorkeling or scuba diving and forest trekking. It is also a paradise for birding.

Merk Bay Beach in North Passage Island comes under the area of Middle Andaman. On the way to the island, one can see Strait Island on the right and Guitar Island on the left. Merk Bay Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Andaman. Fine, white sand in contrast with the blue water makes the perfect setting for a day out. The beach is safe for bathing and good snorkeling options.

There are regular boats from Port Blair to Long Island at 6.15 AM on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays via Neil Island and Havelock. These boats return to Port Blair via Havelock and Neil at 7.15 AM on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Additionally there is a fast boat on Fridays leaving Port Blair at 6.30 AM arriving in Long Island at about 10.30 AM, returning to Port Blair at 2 PM from Long Island arriving at 6.45 PM. This boat stops at Havelock only. Long Island is well connected with Rangat by means of regular ferries that run almost every day. The boat ride is quite comfortable and takes around 1.5 hrs. Rangat is situated about 176 km from Port Blair.

Accommodation facilities are available at the government guest house for which a permit is required from Andaman Tourism before travelling to Long Island. There is also Blue Planet resort which offers standard accommodation for visitors.

Ferry Timings from Rangat: 7 AM & 2 PM daily